U.S. patent application number 11/790259 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-21 for apparatus and data processing apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJITSU LIMITED. Invention is credited to Hideaki Kamikakoi, Sonomasa Kobayashi, Daisuke Mihara, Yutaka Sato, Wataru Tanaka, Ikki Tatsukami.
Application Number | 20080043434 11/790259 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39101174 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080043434 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tatsukami; Ikki ; et
al. |
February 21, 2008 |
Apparatus and data processing apparatus
Abstract
An apparatus includes a heat generating component; a heat
radiating member that absorbs heat from the heat generating
component and radiates heat; a fan that sends air toward the heat
radiating member; a housing incorporating the heat generating
component, the heat radiating member and the fan, and including a
first opening that discharges air warmed up by the heat radiating
member to an outside and a second opening that exposes an air inlet
portion of the heat radiating member in which air from the fan
enters; and a cover member that is detachably attached to the
housing and covers the second opening.
Inventors: |
Tatsukami; Ikki; (Kawasaki,
JP) ; Kobayashi; Sonomasa; (Kawasaki, JP) ;
Tanaka; Wataru; (Kawasaki, JP) ; Mihara; Daisuke;
(Kawasaki, JP) ; Sato; Yutaka; (Kawasaki, JP)
; Kamikakoi; Hideaki; (Kawasaki, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
SUITE 700, 1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
FUJITSU LIMITED
Kawasaki
JP
|
Family ID: |
39101174 |
Appl. No.: |
11/790259 |
Filed: |
April 24, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/697 ;
361/678; 361/690 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1616 20130101;
G06F 1/203 20130101; G06F 1/1656 20130101; G06F 1/1658
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/697 ;
361/680 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/16 20060101
G06F001/16; H05K 7/20 20060101 H05K007/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 16, 2006 |
JP |
2006-222127 |
Dec 22, 2006 |
JP |
2006-346447 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a heat generating component; a heat
radiating member that absorbs heat from the heat generating
component and radiates heat; a fan that sends air toward the heat
radiating member; a housing incorporating the heat generating
component, the heat radiating member and the fan, and including a
first opening that discharges air warmed up by the heat radiating
member to an outside and a second opening that exposes an air inlet
portion of the heat radiating member in which air from the fan
enters; and a cover member that is detachably attached to the
housing and covers the second opening.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover member is
manually.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first opening is
formed in one side of the housing and the second opening is formed
in a top face of the housing.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing has an
opening for holding the cover member, the opening being formed at a
position covered by the cover member, and the cover member has a
projection that engages in the opening so as to be held therein,
the projection being formed on a face of the cover member facing
the housing when attached to the housing.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a
recess that has space for a finger or a fingernail to hold the
cover member attached to the housing.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover member is
formed so as to be wider than the second opening of the housing
such that the cover member overlaps an edge portion that defines
the second opening.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an air
guide wall that is provided at each of both ends of the air inlet
portion, guides air from the fan to the air inlet portion and
prevents the air from leaking out off the heat radiating member,
wherein the edge portion defining the second opening of the housing
extends to a position over the air guide walls such that the second
opening is restrictedly formed within an area sandwiched between
the air guide walls at both ends of the air inlet portion.
8. A data processing apparatus that processes data comprising: a
heat generating component; a heat radiating member that absorbs
heat from the heat generating component and radiates heat; a fan
that sends air toward the heat radiating member; a housing
incorporating the heat generating component, the heat radiating
member and the fan, and including a keyboard for input operation
arranged on a top face thereof, a first opening that discharges air
warmed up by the heat radiating member to outside, the first
opening formed in one side thereof, and a second opening that
exposes an air inlet portion of the heat radiating member in which
air from the fan enters, the second opening formed in a top face
thereof; and a cover member that is detachably attached to the
housing and covers the second opening.
9. The data processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the
first opening is formed in the side facing a back of the housing
and the second opening is formed in the top face of the housing at
a position behind the keyboard.
10. The data processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the
cover member is manually attached and detached.
11. The data processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein
the fan is arranged at least partially under the keyboard and the
heat radiating member is arranged at a position at the back of the
keyboard, and a top face of the heat radiating member is located
higher than a top face of the fan.
12. The data processing apparatus according to claim 11, further
comprising a metal plate that spreads over the top face of the fan
and the top face of the heat radiating member and is configured
such that a portion thereof for covering the top face of the heat
radiating member is raised to match the height of the heat
radiating member, wherein the keyboard is arranged on the metal
plate.
13. The data processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the
housing has an opening for holding the cover member, the opening
being formed at a position covered by the cover member, and the
cover member has a projection that engages in the opening so as to
be held therein, the projection being formed in a face of the cover
member facing the housing when attached to the housing.
14. The data processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the
housing has a recess that has space for a finger or a fingernail to
hold the cover member attached to the housing.
15. The data processing apparatus according to claim 8, further
comprising a second housing in addition to the housing serving as a
first housing, the second housing being connected through a hinge
to the first housing at the back of the first housing such that the
second housing is openable and closable relative to the first
housing, and has a display screen that displays an image.
16. The data processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the
cover member is formed so as to be wider than the second opening of
the housing such that the cover member overlaps an edge portion
that defines the second opening.
17. The data processing apparatus according to claim 8, further
comprising an air guide wall that is provided at each of both ends
of the air inlet portion, guides air from the fan to the air inlet
portion and prevents the air from leaking out off the heat
radiating member, wherein the edge portion defining the second
opening of the housing extends to a position over the air guide
walls such that the second opening is restrictedly formed within an
area sandwiched between the air guide walls at both ends of the air
inlet portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus that has a
built-in heat generating component, and to a data processing
apparatus that has a built-in heat generating component and
performs data processing.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] There are various types of apparatuses having a built-in
component that generates heat when in use. Although some of them
perform their intended function by generating heat, it is not
desirable for the other apparatuses to generate heat by the
built-in component. Thus, some techniques are devised to suppress
rise in temperature of the apparatus due to heat generated by the
built-in heat generating component. For example, Japanese Patent
Application Publication No. 2002-217343 and Japanese Utility Model
Publication No. 5-55591 disclose that a heat sink and a heat
radiating member is used to radiate heat generated by a power
transistor, while Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2006-135073 discloses the structure that heat generated by a voice
coil motor is conducted to a housing of a hard disc drive via heat
radiating fins.
[0005] Additionally, another typical technique for suppressing heat
is that a fan is provided in an apparatus to generate airflow,
thereby cooling down a heat generating component. For example,
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-321287 discloses
the structure in which heat generated by a heat generating
component is conducted via a heat pipe to heat radiating fins.
Airflow that is generated by rotation of a fan absorbs heat while
passing through between the heat radiating fins and then warmed air
is discharged from the apparatus.
[0006] Use of such a structure is widespread as it is effective in
suppressing rise in temperature of a heat-generating component.
[0007] However, such a structure entails the following problems.
Firstly, heat radiating fins are likely to be covered in dust at
the inlet thereof, which blocks air flow and thus deteriorates
cooling capacity thereof, resulting in rise in temperature of a
heat-generating component. Consequently, this may disable normal
operation of the heat-generating component and shorten the life of
its peripheral components as well as the heat component. Secondly,
even without such abnormal conditions, if an apparatus is
configured to adjust cooling capacity by changing the speed of a
fan, the increased speed of the fan for securing cooling capacity
will make noise of the fan larger.
[0008] Meanwhile, Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2005-321287 deals with the first problem, by providing a tilted
portion formed at the inlet of the heat radiating fins, aiming at
moving dust by causing dust to be carried by air flow from a fan
along the tilted portion and discharged from the apparatus.
[0009] Although provision of the tilted portion may delay the time
for the dust to be accumulated, this does not substantially solve
the problem.
[0010] Additionally, a heat radiating member and a fan are
typically disposed inside an apparatus while only an outlet, from
which air passed through the heat radiating member is discharged,
is exposed to be seen from outside. On the other hand, dust is
accumulated at the inlet of the heat radiating member and thus, in
order to remove accumulated dust, the apparatus must be
disassembled, which is rather difficult to perform.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention has been made in view of the above
circumstances, and provides an apparatus and a data processing
apparatus that have a structure enabling easy recovery of
coolability downgraded due to accumulated dust therein.
[0012] An apparatus according to the invention having:
[0013] a heat generating component;
[0014] a heat radiating member that absorbs heat from the heat
generating component and radiates heat;
[0015] a fan that sends air toward the heat radiating member;
[0016] a housing incorporating the heat generating component, the
heat radiating member and the fan, and including a first opening
that discharges air warmed up by the heat radiating member to an
outside and a second opening that exposes an air inlet portion of
the heat radiating member in which air from the fan enters; and
[0017] a cover member that is detachably attached to the housing
and covers the second opening.
[0018] As the apparatus of the invention is provided with the
second opening that exposes the air inlet portion in which air from
the fan enters and the cover member that is detachably attached to
the housing and covers the second opening, cleaning of the air
inlet portion is made easy, which enables easy recovery of
coolability downgraded due to accumulated dust in the air inlet
portion.
[0019] Preferably, in the apparatus according to the invention, the
cover member is manually detached.
[0020] The above feature facilitates east cleaning of the air inlet
portion.
[0021] More preferably, in the apparatus according to the
invention, the first opening is formed in one side of the housing
and the second opening is formed in a top face of the housing.
[0022] The first opening, from which air warmed up by the heat
radiating member is discharged, is desirably formed in a side of
the housing (more preferably a back-facing face of the housing) so
that it may not interfere with the operation of the apparatus.
Meanwhile, the second opening is desirably formed in the top face
so as to be easily cleaned.
[0023] Further preferably, in the apparatus according to the
invention, the housing has an opening for holding the cover member,
the opening being formed at a position covered by the cover member,
and the cover member has a projection that engages in the opening
so as to be held therein, the projection being formed on a face of
the cover member facing the housing when attached to the
housing.
[0024] The above structure enables easy engagement and
disengagement of the cover member with and from the housing.
[0025] Also preferably, in the apparatus according to the
invention, the housing has a recess that has space for a finger or
a fingernail to hold the cover member attached to the housing.
[0026] Forming of such a recess facilitates easy detachment of the
cover member.
[0027] Preferably, in the apparatus of this invention, the cover
member is formed so as to be wider than the second opening of the
housing such that the cover member overlaps an edge portion that
defines the second opening.
[0028] If the cover member is wider enough to overlap the edge
portion of the second opening, it is possible to prevent air from
the fan from leaking out through a gap between the second opening
and the cover member. It is also possible to prevent entrance of
foreign matter into the apparatus through the cover member and the
second opening.
[0029] Further preferably, in the apparatus according to this
invention, an air guide wall is provided at each of both ends of
the air inlet portion, which guides air from the fan to the air
inlet portion and prevents the air from leaking out off the heat
radiating member,
[0030] wherein the edge portion defining the second opening of the
housing extends to a position over the air guide walls such that
the second opening is restrictedly formed within an area sandwiched
between the air guide walls at both ends of the air inlet
portion.
[0031] As the second opening is restrictedly formed within an area
sandwiched between the air guide walls, it is possible to prevent
air from the fan from leaking out into the apparatus through a gap
between the cover member and the air guide walls, which enhances
coolability. In addition, it is possible to prevent entrance of the
dust accompanying air from the fan into the apparatus.
[0032] According to another aspect of the invention, a data
processing apparatus that processes data including:
[0033] a heat generating component;
[0034] a heat radiating member that absorbs heat from the heat
generating component and radiates heat;
[0035] a fan that sends air toward the heat radiating member;
[0036] a housing incorporating the heat generating component, the
heat radiating member and the fan, and including a keyboard for
input operation arranged on a top face thereof, a first opening
that discharges air warmed up by the heat radiating member to
outside, the first opening formed in one side thereof, and a second
opening that exposes an air inlet portion of the heat radiating
member in which air from the fan enters, the second opening formed
in a top face thereof; and
[0037] a cover member that is detachably attached to the housing
and covers the second opening.
[0038] Preferably, in the data processing apparatus according to
invention, the first opening is formed in the side facing a back of
the housing and the second opening is formed in the top face of the
housing at a position behind the keyboard
[0039] As the first opening, from which air warmed up by the heat
radiating member is discharged, is formed in a side of the housing
(desirably at a back-facing face of the housing) while the second
opening is formed in the top face (desirably behind the keyboard on
the top face), warmed air discharged from the first opening is
prevented from blowing against a user and at the same time easy
cleaning is enabled.
[0040] Preferably, also in the data processing apparatus according
invention, the cover member is manually detached by operation.
[0041] Further preferably, in the data processing apparatus
according to invention, the fan is arranged at least partially
under the keyboard and the heat radiating member is arranged at a
position at the back of the keyboard, and a top face of the heat
radiating member is positioned higher than a top face of the fan.
The data processing apparatus is desirably provided with a metal
plate that spreads over the top face of the fan and the top face of
the heat radiating member and is configured such that a portion
thereof for covering the top face of the heat radiating member is
raised by the height of the heat radiating member. The keyboard is
desirably arranged on the metal plate.
[0042] As the top face of the heat radiating member is positioned
higher than that of the fan, the disposed air inlet portion when
the cover member is removed is positioned relatively high, which
ensures cleaning with ease. Additionally, the top face of the fan
is positioned lower relative to that of the heat radiating member,
the metal plate can be placed on the fan to use the metal plate as
the base of the keyboard. In this case, the metal plate can serve
also as an electromagnetic shield, for example, by placing circuit
board thereunder. Further, the metal plate is configured such that
a portion thereof for covering the top face of the high heat
radiating member is not separated but raised from the rest of the
metal plate, the strength of the metal plate as well as its
electromagnetic shield performance is ensured.
[0043] More preferably, in the data processing apparatus according
to the invention, the housing has an opening for holding the cover
member, the opening being formed at a position covered by the cover
member, and the cover member has a projection that engages in the
opening so as to be held therein, the projection being formed on a
face of the cover member facing the housing when attached to the
housing. Further preferably, the housing has a recess that has
space for a finger or a fingernail to hold the cover member
attached to the housing.
[0044] Also, the data processing apparatus according to the
invention may have a second housing, in addition to the housing as
a second housing, the second housing being connected through a
hinge to the first housing at the back of the first housing such
that the second housing is openable and closable relative to the
first housing, and has a display screen that displays an image,
such as a notebook PC.
[0045] Preferably, in the data processing of this invention, the
cover member is formed so as to be wider than the second opening of
the housing such that the cover member overlaps an edge portion
that defines the second opening.
[0046] It is also preferable that, in the data processing of this
invention, an air guide wall is provided at each of both ends of
the air inlet portion, which guides air from the fan to the air
inlet portion and prevents the air from leaking out off the heat
radiating member,
[0047] wherein the edge portion defining the second opening of the
housing extends to a position over the air guide walls such that
the second opening is restrictedly formed within an area sandwiched
between the air guide walls at both ends of the air inlet
portion.
[0048] As described above, the apparatus according to the invention
can recover coolability downgraded due to accumulated dust
therein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0049] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below
with reference to the attached drawings.
[0050] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a notebook computer
(hereafter referred to as note PC) when opened.
[0051] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the note PC shown in FIG. 1
when closed, as viewed obliquely from its front.
[0052] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the note PC shown in FIG. 1
when closed, as viewed obliquely from its back.
[0053] FIG. 4 shows a front face of the note PC shown in FIGS. 1
through 3 when closed.
[0054] FIG. 5 shows a back face of the note PC shown in FIGS. 1
through 3 when closed.
[0055] FIG. 6 shows a right flank of the note PC shown in FIGS. 1
through 3 when closed.
[0056] FIG. 7 shows a left flank of the note PC shown in FIGS. 1
through 3 when closed.
[0057] FIG. 8 shows a top face of the note PC shown in FIGS. 1
through 3 with its cover member removed therefrom.
[0058] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion at the back of a
keyboard on the top face of a main unit of the note PC.
[0059] FIG. 10 illustrates a fan and a portion of a heat radiating
member with a top cover and a keyboard removed from the housing of
the main unit.
[0060] FIG. 11 illustrates the portion of the heat radiating member
as viewed at different angle from that in FIG. 10.
[0061] FIG. 12 shows a positional relationship between the fan and
the heat radiating member with a metal plate removed therefrom.
[0062] FIG. 13 is a plane view of the heat radiating member.
[0063] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the heat radiating
member.
[0064] FIG. 15 shows heat generating components on a main circuit
board.
[0065] FIG. 16 illustrates two heat generating components and a
bottom face of the heat radiating member that contacts the heat
generating components.
[0066] FIG. 17 shows positional relation between a CPU and a
chipset different from that shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.
[0067] FIG. 18 illustrates two heat generating components, that is,
the CPU and the chipset, and a bottom face of the heat radiating
member that contacts the heat generating components.
[0068] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a bottom face of the main
unit of the notebook PC.
[0069] FIG. 20 shows the bottom face of the main unit of the
notebook PC shown in FIG. 19, with the cover member for closing a
hard disc drive unit loading opening removed therefrom.
[0070] FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of an opening for accommodating
the hard disk drive unit and the hard disc drive unit housed
therein.
[0071] FIG. 22 is a view of the hard disk drive unit as viewed at a
certain angle.
[0072] FIG. 23 is a view of the hard disk drive unit as viewed at a
different angle.
[0073] FIG. 24 is a view of the hard disk drive unit as viewed at
another different certain angle.
[0074] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a unit side connector
provided in the hard disc drive unit.
[0075] FIG. 26 shows an apparatus side connector that is to be
connected with the unit side connector provided in the hard disc
drive unit.
[0076] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of one side of the opening in
which the hard disc drive unit is housed.
[0077] FIG. 28 shows the state in which the hard disc drive is
about to be housed by being placed in the correct position in the
opening of the hard disc drive unit.
[0078] FIG. 29 also show the state in which the hard disc drive is
about to be housed by being placed in the correct position in the
opening of the hard disc drive unit.
[0079] FIG. 30 shows the state in which the hard disc drive unit
with its back obliquely lifted is placed in the opening.
[0080] FIG. 31 shows a back face of the cover member for closing
the opening in which the hard disc drive unit is housed.
[0081] FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the PC card slot 280.
[0082] FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the PC card slot shown in
FIG. 32, with the lower cover member shown in FIG. 6 opened.
[0083] FIG. 34 compares the PC card slot (A) according to the
embodiment of the notebook PC of the invention with a typical
example of the conventional PC card slot (B)
[0084] FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the disc drive unit with
the top cover of the housing of the main unit of the notebook PC
removed therefrom.
[0085] FIG. 36 shows a disc drive unit accommodating section to
accommodate the disc drive unit.
[0086] FIG. 37 shows one side-end of the disc drive unit
accommodating section.
[0087] FIG. 38 shows the other side-end of the disc drive unit
accommodating section.
[0088] FIG. 39 shows a sheet to be spread under a sub circuit
board, with the sub circuit board and a flat cable removed
therefrom.
[0089] FIG. 40 shows an insulation sheet that is spread under the
main and sub circuit boards with the circuit boards removed
therefrom.
[0090] FIG. 41 is an enlarged view of a portion at the back of the
keyboard on the top face of the main unit of the notebook PC.
[0091] FIG. 42 illustrates the same portion as shown in FIG. 41
that further exposes the air inlet portion of the heat radiating
fins by removing part of the housing of the main unit.
[0092] FIG. 43 shows an air passage from the fan with the keyboard
removed from the main unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0093] Embodiment(s) of the present invention will be described
below with reference to the attached drawings.
[0094] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a notebook computer 10
(hereafter referred to as a notebook PC) when opened, FIG. 2 is a
perspective view of the notebook PC 10 when closed, as viewed
obliquely from its front, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the
notebook PC 10 when closed, as viewed obliquely from its back.
[0095] The notebook PC 10 is composed of a main unit 20 and a
display unit 30. The display unit 30 is connected via a hinge
mechanism 40 with the main unit 20 at the back of the main unit 20
so as to be openable and closable.
[0096] The main unit 20 has various components incorporated in the
housing thereof, including circuits such as CPU, a hard disc drive
unit to access a CD and a DVD loaded therein, a PC card slot to
access a PC card inserted therein, a memory card slot to access
various kinds of memory cards inserted therein and so on.
[0097] On the top face of the main unit 20, disposed are a keyboard
21, a touchpad 22, right and left push buttons 22b and 22a, a
fingerprint sensor 23 disposed between the push buttons 22b and
22a, a power button 24 disposed at the right back, plural indicator
lamps 25 and plural function buttons 26 disposed at the left
back.
[0098] Further disposed on the top face of the main unit 20 is a
locking aperture 27 at a substantial center of the front thereof.
The locking aperture 27 receives a locking claw 31 of the display
unit 30, when the display unit 30 is closed to overlay the main
unit 20, and the display unit 30 locks into the main unit 20 such
that the display unit 30 does not easily open. To open the display
unit 30, an unlocking button 32 of the display unit 30 is to be
pressed to unlock the locking claw 31 and the display unit 30 is to
be lifted with a hand. Additionally, a long and narrow cover member
28 extending laterally is disposed at the back of the keyboard 21
on the top face of the main unit 20, which will be described later
in detail.
[0099] The display unit 30 has, in addition to the locking claw 31
and the unlocking button 32, a display screen 33 disposed at the
inside thereof and facing the main unit 20 when closed. Various
images are displayed on the display screen 33 in response to
instructions from the CPU of the main unit 20.
[0100] The hinge mechanism 40 supports the display unit 30 such
that the display unit 30 can open and close relative to the main
unit 20 and can be kept opening at any degree by friction of the
hinge mechanism 40.
[0101] FIG. 4 shows a front face of the notebook PC 10 shown in
FIGS. 1 through 3 when closed.
[0102] On the flank of the front of the main unit 20, audio output
ports 201a, 201b are disposed respectively at the left and right
thereof to output sound from a built-in microphone to outside the
apparatus. Further, disposed are a microphone connection port 202
for connecting a microphone jack thereto, a headphone connection
port 203 for connecting a headphone jack thereto, and an On/Off
switch 204 for turning on/off wireless LAN function.
[0103] FIG. 5 shows a back face of the notebook PC. 10 shown in
FIGS. 1 through 3 when closed.
[0104] As shown in FIG. 5, on the flank of the back of the main
unit 20, disposed in the order from the right to the left are a
modem circuit connecting port 205, an external monitor connecting
connector 206, air outlets 207 from which air blown from a fan
inside the main unit 20 is discharged, a video output terminal 208,
a LAN connection terminal 209, two USB connection terminals 210a,
210b and a locking aperture 211 for connecting a theft-proof wire
thereto.
[0105] It should be noted that in FIG. 5 heat radiating fins 241 of
a heat radiating member 240 (see FIG. 11) are exposed to be seen at
the back of the air outlets 207.
[0106] FIG. 6 shows a right flank of the notebook PC 10 shown in
FIGS. 1 through 3 when closed.
[0107] As shown in FIG. 6, on the flank of the right of the
notebook PC 10, there are disposed an AC adapter (not shown) power
cable connecting port 212, an IEEE 1394 connecting terminal 213, a
USB connecting terminal 214, a media loading opening 215 in which
plural types of storage media, four in the embodiment, can be
inserted, and a PC card loading opening 216 in which plural PC
cards are to be inserted. As will be described later, in the main
unit 20, upper and lower PC card slots capable of accommodating two
PC cards and having corresponding upper and lower cover members 217
and 218 are disposed inside the PC card loading opening 216. When
no PC card is loaded, the cover members 217 and 218 are pressed by
a spring from inside the housing of the main unit 20 so as to be
closed, as shown in FIG. 6. The notebook PC card loading opening
216 is adapted to be opened in the following manner: when a PC card
is inserted into the upper PC slot, the upper cover member 217 is
pressed by the front end of the PC card and rotated such that the
upper cover member 217 is lifted up around a top edge 217a thereof;
on the other hand, when a PC card is inserted into the lower PC
slot, the lower cover member 218 is pressed by the front end of the
PC card and rotated such that the lower cover member 218 goes down
around a bottom edge 218a thereof. In order to pull the inserted PC
card from the PC card loading opening 216, an eject button 219
disposed next to the PC card loading opening 216 is to be
pressed.
[0108] FIG. 7 shows a left flank of the notebook PC 10 shown in
FIGS. 1 through 3 when closed.
[0109] On the flank of the left of the main unit 20, arranged is an
end face of a disc drive unit 220 to access a CD and a DVD loaded
therein. Pressing an eject button 221 causes a tray to pop out from
inside the housing of the main unit 20. Placing CD and DVD on the
tray and pushing it enables the CD and DVD to be accessed by the
disc drive unit 220. When removing the CD and DVD, the eject button
221 is to be pressed similarly.
[0110] Incidentally, an opening of the same shape as that of the
end face of the disc drive unit 220 is formed in the housing of the
main unit 20. Thus, when doing a maintenance check, the whole of
the disc drive unit 220 can be pulled out from inside the housing
of the main unit 20 and reinserted therein.
[0111] So far, the notebook PC 10 as a whole has been described. In
the following, the details of each section of the notebook PC 10
will be described.
(Structure of Air Inlet Portion of Heat Radiating Fins)
[0112] FIG. 8 shows a top face of the notebook PC 10 shown in FIGS.
1 through 3 with its cover member removed therefrom. FIG. 9 is an
enlarged view of a portion at the back of a keyboard 21 on the top
face of the main unit 20 of the notebook PC 10.
[0113] An elongated cover member 28, as shown in FIG. 1, is
disposed at the back of the keyboard 21 on the top face of the main
unit 20. Opening the cover member 28 exposes an opening 231 formed
inside the housing of the main unit 20. An air inlet portion 241a
of the heat radiating fins 241 of the heat radiating member 240
(see FIG. 11) can be seen through the opening 231. The heat
radiating member 240 will be described later in detail. The air
inlet portion 241a is likely to be covered in dust because air from
the fan 250 blows against it. The accumulated dust in the air inlet
portion 241a prevents air flow from the fan 250, downgrading
coolability, leading to rise in temperature inside the housing of
the main unit 20 and thus possibly resulting in malfunction and
failure of the notebook PC 10. However, the notebook PC 10 has such
a configuration that the air inlet portion 241a can be exposed by
taking off the cover member 28 to enable easy removal of dust
accumulated therein. The opening 231, through which the air inlet
portion 241a of the heat radiating fins 241 can be seen, is closed
by the cover member 28, whose backside is shown in FIG. 9, which
has positioning claws 281 and 282 at ends thereof and locking claws
283, 284 and 285 at three separate positions at substantially
center thereof.
[0114] The positioning claws 281 and 282 engage in positioning
holes 232 and 233 formed in the housing of the main unit 20 while
the locking claws 283, 284 and 285 respectively engage in locking
holes 234, 235 and 236 formed in the housing of the main unit 20,
so that the cover member 28 is attached to the housing of the main
body so as to close the opening 231.
[0115] Additionally, a recess 237 with space for a finger or a nail
to be placed therein is formed in the housing of the main unit 20
in order to enable easy taking off of the cover member 28 attached
to the housing. Thus, the cover member 28 can be easily taken off
by placing a finger or a fingernail under the recess 237 and
lifting up the cover member 28.
[0116] FIG. 10 illustrates a fan and a portion of the heat
radiating member 240 with a top cover and the keyboard 21 of the
main unit 20 removed therefrom. FIG. 11 illustrates the portion of
the heat radiating member 240 as viewed at different angle from
that in FIG. 10.
[0117] A main circuit board 251 mounted with various circuit
components is arranged around the fan 250. A metal plate 252 with
several holes formed therein is arranged above the fan 250, the
main circuit board 251, and the heat radiating member 240. A top
face of the heat radiating member 240 stands higher than that of
the fan 250, so that a shield portion 252a formed in the metal
plate 252 for covering the top face of the heat radiating member
240 is raised from the level of the rest of the metal plate
252.
[0118] The metal plate 252 serves as an electromagnetic shield as
well as a base for the keyboard 21 (see FIG. 1) that is arranged on
the metal plate 252.
[0119] FIG. 12 shows a positional relationship between the fan 250
and the heat radiating member 240 with the metal plate 252 removed
therefrom.
[0120] Two kinds of LSIs, that is, what is called CPU and chipset
are disposed under the heat radiating member 240. The heat
radiating member 240 serves for radiating heat generated by the two
LSIs, which will be described later in detail.
[0121] Air blown from the fan 250 enters the air inlet portion 241a
to reach the heat radiating fins 241 and then is warmed up while
passing between the heat radiating fins 241 by absorbing heat
therefrom and exits from the air outlets 207 (also see FIG. 5)
formed in the flank of the back of the main unit 20.
(Structure of Heat Radiating Member)
[0122] The heat radiating member 240 includes a flat base section
(hereafter referred to as "a base plate") 242, the multiple pieces
of radiating fins 241 that are fixed to and stand on the base plate
242 and a pair of arms (hereafter referred to as "arm plates") 243,
244 that extend horizontally at both ends of the base plate 242.
The arm plates 243, 244 include fasteners 243a, 243b, and 244a,
244b respectively disposed at the front and the back thereof for
fastening the heat radiating member 240 with screws. Additionally,
the heat radiating member 240 has a fixed section (hereafter
referred to as "a fixed plate") 245 that stands at both ends of the
heat radiating fins 241 and links the both ends by extending over
the heat radiating fins 241 like a bridge. The pair of arm plates
243, 244 are formed by extending the fixed plate 245.
[0123] The manufacturing process of the heat radiating member 240
is as follows: solder is applied to the bottom of each of the heat
radiating fins 241 to place them on the top face of the base plate
242; then, solder is applied to the top of each of the heat
radiating fins 241 to attach the heat radiating fins 241 and the
base plate 242 to the fixed plate 245, which are subjected to
solder-joint with a furnace to complete manufacturing.
[0124] Incidentally, the fasteners 243a, 234b, and 244a, 244b
respectively have a structure of a fixed pedestal with a spring
incorporated therein. Thus, the heat radiating member 240 is
pressed against heat radiating components by means of springs when
fastened with screws. Such a structure is well known art and thus
further explanation is omitted.
[0125] FIG. 15 shows heat generating components on the main circuit
board 251.
[0126] FIG. 15 illustrates CPU 253a and chipset 254a disposed near
the CPU 253a that are heat generating components to be cooled by
the heat radiating member 240 shown in FIG. 14. As the CPU 253a
generates larger amount of heat than the chipset 254a, it is placed
so as to be efficiently cooled by the heat radiating member 240.
More particularly, the CPU 253a is disposed under the base plate
242, so that heat generated by the CPU 253a is conducted via the
base plate 242 to the heat radiating fins 241 from the bottom
thereof. On the other hand, the chipset 254a is disposed under one
of arm plates 243, 244 (in this case the arm plate 243), so that
heat generated by the chipset 254a is conducted via the fixed plate
245 to the heat radiating fins 241 from the top thereof.
[0127] FIG. 16 illustrates two heat generating components, that is,
the CPU 253a and the chipset 254a, and a bottom face of the heat
radiating member 240 that contacts the heat generating
components.
[0128] The heat radiating member 240 is arranged on the CPU 253a
and the chipset 254a so as to be in contact with them via thermal
grease. When the heat radiating member 240 is attached to the CPU
253a and the chipset 254a by screwing the fasteners 243a, 243b and
244a, 244b of the arm plates 243, 244 in the four respective holes
251a, 251b and 251c, 251d formed in the main circuit board 251, a
substantial center "a" of the CPU 253a contacts a substantial
center "a'" of the base plate 242 of the heat radiating member 240,
while a substantial center "b" of the chipset 254a contacts a
substantial center "b'" having a downward projection of the arm
plate 243. The downward projection of the arm plate 243 will be
described later in detail.
[0129] FIG. 17 show positional relation between a CPU and a chipset
different from that shown in FIGS. 15 and 16
[0130] The notebook PC 10 according to the embodiment (see FIG. 1)
includes two kinds of notebook PCs mounted with two kinds of CPUs
and chipsets of different manufacturers. FIGS. 15 and 16 show
positional relation between CPU 253b and chipset 254b of a first
kind of the notebook PCs while FIG. 17 shows that of a second kind
of the notebook PC.
[0131] The difference of positional relation between the CPU 253b
and the chipset 254b between FIGS. 15, 16 and FIG. 17 lies in that
the position of the CPU 253a is roughly replaced with the chipset
254a.
[0132] FIG. 18 illustrates two heat generating components, that is,
the CPU 253b and the chipset 254b, and a bottom face of the heat
radiating member that contacts the heat generating components.
[0133] Similarly to the notebook PC 10 shown in FIG. 16, the heat
radiating member 240 is arranged on the CPU 253b and the chipset
254b so as to be in contact with them via thermal grease. When the
heat radiating member 240 is attached to the CPU 253b and the
chipset 254b by screwing the fasteners 243a, 243b and 244a, 244b of
the arm plates 243, 244 in the four respective holes 251a, 251b and
251c, 251d formed in the main circuit board 251, a substantial
center "c" of the CPU 253b contacts a substantial center "c'" of
the base plate 242 of the heat radiating member 240, while a
substantial center "d" of the chipset 254b contacts a substantial
center "d'" of the arm plate 244.
[0134] The height of the chipset 254a with reference to that of the
CPU 253a, in the first kind of the notebook PC shown in FIG. 16,
differs from the height of the chipset 254b with reference to that
of the CPU 253b in the second kind of the notebook PC shown in FIG.
18. That is why the arm plate 243 constituting the heat radiating
member 240 has the downward projection 243c to offset difference in
height between the chipsets 254a and 254b so that the heat
radiating member 240 can contact both the chipsets 254a and
254b.
[0135] According to the embodiment, the heat radiating member 240
has such a structure that difference in height between the CPU 253a
and 253b is offset by the amount of contraction and extension of
the springs of the fasteners 243a, 243b and 244a, 244b, while
difference in height between the chipsets 254a and 254b is offset
by the shape of the arm plate 243.
[0136] Such a structure enables the heat radiating member 240 of
the same shape to be used for the two kinds of notebook PCs, by
aligning the holes 251a, 251b and 251c, 251d formed in the main
circuit board 251 of the notebook PC 10 with the fasteners 243a,
243b and 244a, 244b of the arm plates 243, 244 of the heat
radiating member 240.
(Structure of Hard Disc Drive Unit Loading Opening Portion)
[0137] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a bottom face of the main
unit 20 of the notebook PC 10.
[0138] FIG. 19 shows a cover member 261 for closing the hard disc
drive unit loading opening, a cover member 262 for closing a
battery loading opening and a cover member 263 for closing a memory
card loading opening.
[0139] FIG. 20 shows the bottom face of the main unit 20 of the
notebook PC shown in FIG. 19, with the cover member 261 for closing
the hard disc drive unit loading opening removed therefrom.
[0140] As shown in FIG. 20, an opening 265 for housing a hard disc
drive unit 270 is formed in the bottom face of the main unit 20 and
the hard disc drive unit 270 is housed therein.
[0141] FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of the opening 265 and the hard
disc drive unit 270 housed therein.
[0142] In order to remove the hard disc drive unit 270 from the
opening 265, two screws 264a and 264b are first to be disengaged to
pull a sheet 271 in the direction indicated by the arrow A, thereby
disengaging a unit side connector 273 (see FIG. 22), which will be
described later. Then, the hard disc drive unit 270 is ready to be
removed from the opening 265. Alternatively, in order to house the
hard disc drive unit 270 in the opening 265, the hard disc drive
unit 270 is first to be placed on a position little displaced from
the position indicated by FIG. 21 toward the direction indicated by
the arrow A. Then, pressing the hard disc drive unit 270 in the
direction opposite the direction indicated by the arrow A causes
the unit side connector 273 to be engaged and then, by screwing the
hard disc drive unit 270 with the two screws 264a and 264b, the
hard disc drive unit 270 is appropriately housed in the opening
265.
[0143] It should be noted that the opening 265 has a pair of
projections 266a and 266b projecting inside and disposed at both
sides thereof. The projections 266a and 266b interfere with the
hard disc drive unit 270, if the unit side connector 273 is to be
engaged while the back end (opposite the unit side connector 273)
of the hard disc drive unit 270 is lifted obliquely or the whole of
the hard disc drive unit 270 is lifted from the level of the
opening 265. Thus, the projections 266a and 266b prevent wrong
connection of the unit side connector 273 and failures such as bent
back connector pins. Additionally, the opening 265 has projections
267a, 267b, and 268a, 268b disposed at both sides thereof that
serve for engaging the cover member 261 (see FIGS. 19 and 31) for
the opening 265.
[0144] FIGS. 22 through 24 illustrate the hard disc drive unit 270
as viewed from different angles from that in FIG. 21. FIG. 25 is a
perspective view of the unit side connector 273 provided in the
hard disc drive unit 270.
[0145] As shown in FIGS. 22 through 24, the hard disc drive unit
270 is provided with a metal frame 272 that is fastened to the hard
disc drive unit 270 with screws in the side portions thereof that
are formed by extending the metal frame 272 and bending it at the
both edges. The metal frame 272 serves for maintaining strength of
the hard disc drive unit 270 as well as shielding electromagnetic
force of its internal hard disc and magnetic disc. Multiple holes
formed in the metal frame 272 are intended for reduction in weight
while maintaining strength and shielding performance.
[0146] Additionally, the metal frame 272 also serves for preventing
wrong engagement of the unit side connector 273. When the unit side
connector 273 is to be engaged while the hard disc drive unit 270
is in undesired postures, for example, lifted obliquely as
described above, interfering sections 272a and 272b of the metal
frame 272 interfere with the projections 266a and 266b of the
opening 265.
[0147] Further, the hard disc drive unit 270 is provided with the
unit side connector 273 at the front end thereof. As shown in FIG.
25, the unit side connector 273 has multiple connection pins 273a
aligned in two rows.
[0148] FIG. 26 shows an apparatus side connector 269 that is to be
connected with the unit side connector 273 provided in the hard
disc drive unit 270.
[0149] The apparatus side connector 269 has multiple pin insertion
holes 269a aligned in two rows to receive the corresponding
connection pins 273a aligned in two rows of the unit side connector
273 provided in the hard disc drive unit 270.
[0150] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of one side of the opening 265
in which the hard disc drive unit 270 is housed.
[0151] As shown in FIG. 27, the side of the opening 265 is
configured such that the metal frame 272 (see FIG. 22) goes under
the projection 266a disposed at the side of the opening 265 when
the hard disc drive unit 270 is housed in the opening 265. The same
holds true for the projection 266b at the other side of the opening
265.
[0152] FIGS. 28 and 29 show the state in which the hard disc drive
unit 270 is about to be housed in the correct position in the
opening 265.
[0153] The hard disc drive unit 270 is placed in the position
indicated in FIGS. 28 and 29, and pressed in the direction
indicated by the arrow B, thereby making the unit side connector
273 to be engaged with the apparatus side connector 269. As the
hard disc drive unit 270 is placed in the correct position, the
interfering sections 272a, 272b of the metal frame 272 of the hard
disc drive unit 270 do not interfere with the projections 266a and
266b provided in the opening 265, so that the hard disc drive unit
270 goes under the projections 266a and 266b.
[0154] FIG. 30 shows the state in which the hard disc drive unit
270 with its back obliquely lifted is placed in the opening
265.
[0155] If the hard disc drive unit 270 is pushed in the direction
indicated by the arrow B while keeping the posture shown in FIG.
30, the interfering section 272a, 272b interfere with the
projections 266a, 266b, resulting in failure of engagement between
the unit side connector 273 and the apparatus side connector 269.
Thus, it is possible to prevent failures such as bent-back of the
connection pins 273a due to forced engagement.
[0156] FIG. 30 shows the case in which the back of the hard disc
drive unit 270 is obliquely lifted. However, the same holds true
for the case in which the whole of the hard disc drive unit 270 is
lifted from the opening 265 in a horizontal posture. Further, there
may be a case in which the connection pins 273a aligned in the
lower row of the unit side connector 273 are inserted in the
insertion holes 269a aligned in the upper row of the apparatus side
connector 269. In such a case, however, the interfering section
272a, 272b are to be positioned over the projections 266a, 266b,
and thus the hard disc drive unit 270 cannot be housed in the
opening 265 nor the cover member 261 (see FIG. 19) for closing the
opening 265 can be attached. Accordingly, it is easy to grasp that
the hard disc drive unit 270 is not properly housed in the opening
265, making it possible to prevent such a wrong engagement.
Additionally, there may be a case that the hard disc drive unit 270
is lifted so obliquely that the interfering section 272a, 272b can
go over the projections 266a, 266b, and the connection pins 273a
aligned in the lower row of the unit side connector 273 can be
forcibly inserted in the insertion holes 269a aligned in the upper
row of the apparatus side connector 269. In such a case, however,
the interfering section 272a, 272b are to be positioned over the
projections 266a, 266b, and thus the hard disc drive unit 270
cannot be housed in the opening 265 nor the cover member 261 (see
FIG. 19) for closing the opening 265 can be attached. Accordingly,
it is easy to grasp that the hard disc drive unit 270 is not
properly housed in the opening 265.
[0157] When the hard disc drive unit 270 is housed in the opening
265 in the correct position, the interfering section 272a, 272b are
positioned under the projections 266a, 266b. Accordingly, when the
hard disc drive unit 270 is removed from the opening 265, it is not
possible to lift the back of the hard disc drive unit 270 before
releasing the engagement between the connectors 269 and 273. Thus,
it is possible to secure that the unit side connector 273 is
properly pulled from the apparatus side connector 269.
[0158] FIG. 31 shows a back face of the cover member 261 for
closing the opening 265 in which the hard disc drive unit 270 is
housed.
[0159] On the back face of the cover member 261, disposed are two
projections 301a, 301b projecting toward the depth of the opening
265 (see FIG. 21), two projecting claws 302a and 302b engaging the
two projections 267a and 267b that are disposed at both sides of
the opening 265 and projecting inside thereof, and two engaging
claws 303a, 303b engaging the two projections 268a, 268b that
project from the back end of the opening 265. Additionally, the
cover member 261 has a hole 304 formed at the back side thereof.
The cover member 261 closes the opening 265, as shown in FIG. 19,
by engaging the two projections 301a, 301b, the projecting claws
302a, 302b, and the engaging claws 303a, 303b of the cover member
261 with the corresponding parts of the opening 265 and by screwing
in the hole 304.
(Structure of PC Card Slot)
[0160] FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the PC card slot 280, FIG.
33 is a perspective view of the PC card slot 280 shown in FIG. 32,
with the lower cover member shown in FIG. 6 opened.
[0161] The PC card slot 280 is disposed in the housing of the
notebook PC 10 inside the PC card loading opening 216 (see FIG. 6)
formed in the flank of the right side of the notebook PC 10, such
that it faces the PC card loading opening 216. The PC card slot 280
is consisted of a metal frame and configured to accommodate two PC
cards vertically which are inserted in the PC card loading opening
216. A circuit board mounted with circuits for accessing a PC card
inserted in the PC card slot 280 is provided under the PC card slot
280. An insulation sheet 2801, whose front end 2801a extends close
to the PC card loading opening 216 (see FIG. 6), is spread between
the circuit board and the PC card slot 280 of metal frame for
securing electrical insulation therebetween.
[0162] As described in FIG. 6, the PC card loading opening 216 is
configured such that the upper and lower cover members 217 and 218
are openably closed. A PC card is received by the PC card loading
opening 216 as follows: when a PC card is inserted into the PC card
loading opening 216, the upper cover member 217 is pressed by the
front end of the PC card and rotated such that the upper cover
member 217 is lifted up around the top edge 217a thereof; when the
lower cover member 218 is pressed by the front end of the PC card,
the lower cover member 218 is rotated such that the lower cover
member 218 goes down around the bottom edge 218a thereof.
[0163] FIG. 33 shows the state that the lower cover member 218 of
the two cover members for closing the PC card loading opening 216
is opened. The opened cover member 218 covers the front end 2801a
of the insulation sheet 2801, which prevents the PC card inserted
in the PC card loading opening 216 from abutting the front end
2801a of the insulation sheet 2801 and thus the insulation sheet
2801 from being turned up.
[0164] FIG. 34 compares the PC card slot (A) according to the
embodiment of the notebook PC of the invention with a typical
example of the conventional PC card slot (B).
[0165] In the case of the typical conventional PC card slot (B),
the front end of the insulation sheet 2801 is adhered onto a
circuit board thereunder by using a double side tape. The front end
of the circuit board is flush with the front end 2801a of the
insulation sheet 2801. Thus, if a PC card is inserted downward and
obliquely, the front end of the PC card abuts the front end 2801a
of the insulation sheet 2801. Frequent occurrence of such abutting
causes the front end 2801a of the insulation sheet 2801 to be
turned up and thereby damaging the circuit board by the front end
of the PC card, leading to malfunction of the apparatus.
[0166] On the other hand, in the notebook PC of the embodiment, the
circuit board is shorter relative to the typical conventional PC
card slot (B), as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 34 (A), and the
insulation sheet 2801 is extended closer to the PC card loading
opening 216 (see FIG. 6). Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 32, the
front end 2801a of the insulation sheet 2801 is covered by the
downwardly opened cover member 218, which prevents the insulation
sheet 2801 from being turned up and thereby prevents damage of the
circuit board. Additionally, the need to adhere the insulation
sheet 2801 onto the circuit board is eliminated, resulting in
decrease in the number of assembly works.
(Structure of Disc Drive Unit)
[0167] FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the disc drive unit 220
with the top cover of the housing of the main unit 20 of the
notebook PC 10 removed therefrom.
[0168] The disc drive unit 220, as shown in FIG. 7, is inserted
from the opening formed in the left-side flank of the housing of
the main unit 20 to be housed therein.
[0169] FIG. 36 shows a disc drive unit accommodating section to
accommodate the disc drive unit 220, FIG. 37 shows one side-end of
the disc drive unit accommodating section 310, and FIG. 38 shows
the other side-end thereof.
[0170] The disc drive unit 220 is accommodated in the disc drive
unit accommodating section 310 while guided by rails 311, 312 in
the both sides thereof and inserted into the position where a
connector (not shown) of the disc drive unit 220 is engaged with an
apparatus side connector 313. The face of the inserted disc drive
unit 220 becomes flush with that of the housing of the main unit 20
of the notebook PC 10 as shown in FIG. 7.
[0171] The main circuit board 251 (see FIG. 38) and a sub circuit
board 320 (see FIG. 36) are disposed at the both sides of the disc
drive unit accommodating section 310. Thus, a flat cable 321 for
electrically connecting the main circuit board 251 and the sub
circuit board 320 is laid across the disc drive unit accommodating
section 310. The flat cable 321 may be a flexible wiring board. The
flat cable 321 is arranged under the disc drive unit 220 after the
disc drive unit 220 is accommodated in the disc drive unit
accommodating section 310. Thus, without taking any precaution, the
disc drive unit 220 inserted into the disc drive unit accommodating
section 310 may be caught on the flat cable 321, leading to
failures such as disconnection. Therefore, a sheet 322 is provided
such that the flat cable 321 is wrapped by the sheet 322 folded
back at a position close to the opening for the disc drive unit
220. The sheet 322 is adhered to a face of the disc drive unit
accommodating section 310 at a position away from the opening for
the disc drive unit 220 by using an adhesive tape 323.
[0172] As the flat cable 321 is wrapped by the sheet 322, it is
possible to prevent the disc drive unit 220 inserted into the disc
drive unit accommodating section 310 from being caught on the flat
cable 321 and thus occurrence of failures such as disconnection can
be prevented.
[0173] FIG. 39 shows a sheet to be spread under the sub circuit
board 320, with the sub circuit board 320 and the flat cable 321
removed therefrom.
[0174] An insulation sheet 324 is spread under the sub circuit
board 320 for insulating electrical connection between the sub
circuit board 320 and the housing of the main unit 20. It should be
noted that the sheet 322, which wraps the flat cable 321 as shown
in FIGS. 36 and 37, is formed by extending the insulation sheet
324. This suppresses increase in the number of the components.
[0175] FIG. 40 shows an insulation sheet that is spread under the
main and sub circuit boards 251, 320, with the circuit boards 251,
320 removed therefrom.
[0176] An insulation sheet 325 is laid under the main circuit board
251. The insulation sheet 324 laid under the sub circuit board 320
and the insulation sheet 325 laid under the main circuit board 251
overlap at least at the front end 324a of the insulation sheet 324
that extends across the disc drive unit accommodating section 310
to the side of the main circuit board 251.
[0177] According to the embodiment, it is intended to prevent the
disc drive unit 220 inserted in the disc drive unit accommodating
section 310 from being caught on the flat cable 321, by using the
insulation sheet 324 for the sub circuit board 320 to wrap the flat
cable 321 running across the disc drive unit accommodating section
310.
[0178] Next, description will be made on a modification of the
notebook PC that has been explained so far.
[0179] Except the features described below, this modification is
identical with the notebook PC that has been described.
[0180] FIG. 41 is an enlarged view of a portion at the back of the
keyboard on the top face of the main unit of the notebook PC 10.
FIG. 41 corresponds to FIG. 9 of the afore-mentioned
embodiment.
[0181] As shown in FIG. 41, the width W1 between grooves that
receive the cover member 28 shown in FIG. 1 is wider than the width
W2 of the opening 231. Further, edge portions 239a and 239b that
define the opening 231 of the main unit extend to a position inside
the grooves such that the edge portions 239a and 239b are
overlapped by the cover member 28 when closed and the opening 231
is located inside the grooves in the width direction.
[0182] When the cover member 28 is placed in the grooves to close
the opening 231, the cover member 28 overlaps the edge portions
239a and 239b. If, for example, the cover member 28 does not
overlap the edge portions 239a and 239b, foreign matter may enter
the apparatus from a gap between the cover member 28 and the edge
portions 239a and 239b of the opening 231. Additionally, air from
the fan 250 (see FIG. 10) to the air inlet portion 241a of the heat
radiating fins 241 may leak out from the gap. However, this
modification can eliminate such possibilities.
[0183] FIG. 42 illustrates the same portion as shown in FIG. 41
that further exposes the air inlet portion of the heat radiating
fins by removing part of the housing of the main unit. FIG. 43
shows an air passage from the fan with the keyboard removed from
the main unit.
[0184] Air guide walls 238a and 238b are formed at both ends of the
air inlet portion 241a of the heat radiating fins 241 that
constitutes the heat radiating member 240. The air guide walls 238a
and 238b serve to prevent air from the fan 250 (see FIG. 43) from
leaking out off the heat radiating member 240.
[0185] Here, the length L1 of the opening 231 shown in FIG. 41 is
shorter than the distance L2 between the air guide walls 238a and
238b of the air inlet portion 241a. Thus, the opening 241 is formed
within the area sandwiched between the air guide walls 238a and
238b.
[0186] If, for example, the opening 231 is so wide that the air
guide walls 238a and 238b can be seen from the opening 231, a gap
is formed between the air guide walls 238a,238b and the back
surface of the cover member even when the opening 231 is closed by
the cover member. Consequently, air from the fan may enter the
housing through the gap, which results in entrance of the dust
accompanying the air into the housing as well as downgraded
coolability as part of air from the fan leaks out.
[0187] On the other hand, in this modification, edge portions 239c
and 239d of the main unit housing that define the opening 231
extend to a position over the air guide walls 238a and 238b, so
that the opening 241 is restrictively formed within the area
sandwiched between the air guide walls 238a and 238b.
[0188] Thus, it is possible to prevent leakage of air from the fan
and carriage of the dust into the housing as well as downgrading of
coolability.
* * * * *